In the banquet hall of Ryugu Palace, dazzling crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire hall in resplendent golden light.
Setsuna elegantly used a silver spoon to taste the coral cake brought by a mermaid attendant. This century-old royal secret dessert emitted an enticing aroma.
Perhaps aware of Setsuna's 'reputation', King Neptune specifically had master dessert chefs prepare it on-site.
Hancock, Robin, and Uta watched every step intently, memorizing even the most subtle ingredient ratios.
"To be honest, I came mainly because I heard this place has the world's most delicious desserts," Setsuna raised his glass toward King Neptune.
King Neptune nearly choked on his drink upon hearing this.
He had imagined countless possibilities for this great figure's sudden visit, but never expected such a… straightforward reason.
"Unfortunately, though these desserts are delicious, they don't reach my ideal standard," Setsuna shook his head regretfully. Trusting Big Mom's taste, he had held high expectations for Fish-Man Island's desserts.
Jinbei was somewhat confused, picking up a piece of dessert to taste. "I find it quite sweet."
Setsuna shook his head slightly. "Precisely because it's too sweet. The highest realm of dessert should be 'not sweet'!"
"Huh?" Everyone in the palace was dumbfounded, 'If it's not sweet, how can it be a dessert?'
If Setsuna's expression hadn't seemed genuine, they'd have thought he was deliberately provoking.
"Sweet but not cloying, just the right sweetness, layered sweetness…" As Setsuna explained his 'old-fashioned' dessert philosophy, the entire palace suddenly shook violently.
"R-report!" A guard rushed in panic. "Your Majesty! Hody Jones and the New Fish-Man Pirates are attacking! They're like madmen, cutting down anyone they see, throwing bombs everywhere!"
Setsuna set down his silver spoon, a playful smile appearing. "Daring to act knowing we're here? This 'courage' is… quite impressive."
King Neptune was deeply embarrassed. "Please don't misunderstand. Most Fish-Men and Merfolk are peace-loving."
"Of course. I've always respected heroes like Fisher Tiger," Setsuna elegantly raised his glass in acknowledgment. "Do you need our help resolving this?"
"Haha, thank you for your kindness. This minor trouble, we can handle ourselves," King Neptune declined politely, then looked at his three sons. "Fukaboshi, take your two brothers and deal with the enemies."
"Yes, Father," Fukaboshi clasped his hands, accepting the order, quickly leaving with his two younger brothers.
But in just three minutes, the guard returned in panic to report again.
"Terrible news, Your Majesty! All three princes have been captured by Hody Jones!"
"What?!" King Neptune's expression changed dramatically. "Since when did Hody Jones become that strong?"
The soldier's voice trembled. "They seem to be taking some kind of drug. After taking it, their strength increased greatly, and they became extremely violent and cruel!"
"King Neptune, I'll go rescue them," Jinbei couldn't sit still either, volunteering.
"Jinbei, thank you," King Neptune felt slightly reassured. With Jinbei's strength, even if Hody Jones took more drugs, he couldn't be Jinbei's match.
However, ten minutes later.
The guard reported again. "Terrible news, Your Majesty! Jinbei has also been captured by the enemies!"
"How is that possible?!" King Neptune's expression looked utterly devastated.
"That bastard Hody Jones…" the soldier explained through gritted teeth, "used the three princes' lives to threaten Jinbei, forcing him not to fight back."
"Ah, the [Supreme Hostage] technique. No wonder," Setsuna leisurely savored his tea snack, looking as if he understood perfectly.
King Neptune wiped cold sweat from his forehead, turning awkwardly toward Setsuna. "Chiaki-sama… could I trouble you to rescue Jinbei and my three incompetent sons?"
Enel sneered. "Should have asked earlier."
King Neptune could only smile bitterly repeatedly. Setsuna lightly waved his hand. "Enel, go teach those unruly Fish-Men a lesson."
In truth, both his and Ace's Conqueror's Haki, and Uta's Uta Uta no Mi, could defeat the New Fish-Man Pirates without bloodshed.
But he wanted deterrence, to leave a deep impression on those Fish-Men.
Enel grinned ferociously. "I'll let those Fish-Men witness the majesty of thunder."
Seeing Enel walk out alone, King Neptune was still worried. "Is it too dangerous for this long-eared officer to go out alone?"
"It is dangerous," Ace nodded in deep agreement. "Of course, I mean dangerous for those rebel Fish-Men. That guy doesn't know restraint."
"Huh?" King Neptune was still confused when deafening thunder suddenly roared outside.
For most Fish-Men living in the deep sea, who had never witnessed thunder's power, this world-ending lightning seemed like the Sea God's wrath.
In less than twenty seconds, Enel returned, holding two charred humanoid figures.
Hody Jones and Vander Decken IX were tossed into the hall's center like dead fish.
"These minnows weren't even a warm-up," Enel sneered, sitting back down. But the looks all the Fish-Men in the palace gave him had changed… reverence mixed with fear.
'Quelling a rebellion in under twenty seconds… what astonishing strength.'
Jinbei soon returned with the three slightly charred princes. Although Enel's Mantra could distinguish friend from foe, in actual combat, it was impossible not to affect the hostages at all.
Fortunately, the three princes were quite strong themselves, only lightly roasted.
"Are you three alright?" King Neptune asked worriedly.
"W-we're fine," Fukaboshi mechanically shook his head, his voice full of daze.
Compared to their minor burns, what shocked them more was the apocalyptic scene they had just witnessed.
The image of thousands of lightning bolts descending, instantly annihilating all rebel Fish-Men, was etched in their minds.
Yet such a powerhouse was merely an obscure officer under a Warlord.
At that moment, they finally understood why Jinbei accepted the Warlord's position, why Fish-Man Island accepted Whitebeard Pirates' protection.
On these seas, compared to humanity's top powerhouses, Fish-Man Island's strength was far too insignificant.
Seeing Fukaboshi and the others were only dazed, not seriously injured, King Neptune sighed in relief.
He strode back to his throne, looking down angrily at Hody Jones. "Hody Jones! Why did you start this rebellion?"
Though charred black, Hody Jones still grinned ferociously. "You human lapdog! Don't you know my goal? I'll rule all of Fish-Man Island! Take revenge on humans! Kill every human in the world!"
Silence instantly fell over the hall.
Everyone stared at him as if he were a madman… a mere officer under that Warlord could easily suppress Fish-Men. Where did this idiot get the confidence to think Fish-Men could exterminate humanity?